Refrigerator appliance

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet. The door defines a freezer chamber. The position of the fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber can facilitate access to food items stored within the freezer chamber and/or the fresh food chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. Certain refrigerator appliances include a fresh food chamber for storage of food items above the freezing temperature of water and a freezer chamber for storage of food items below the freezing temperature of water. The fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber can be positioned at various locations relative to each other within the cabinet. Consumers generally prefer chilled chambers that facilitate visibility and accessibility of food items stored therein. However, the arrangement of the fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber within the refrigerator appliances' cabinet can affect food items' visibility and accessibility.

In certain refrigerator appliances, commonly referred to as side-by-side style refrigerator appliance, the fresh food chamber is positioned next to the fresh food chamber within the cabinet. Such a configuration can permit easy access to food items stored on doors of the refrigerator appliances. However, the cabinet can be deep and narrow such that accessing food items at a back of the fresh food chamber and/or freezer chamber is difficult.

In other refrigerator appliances, commonly referred to as bottom mount refrigerator appliances, the freezer chamber is positioned below the fresh food chamber in the cabinet. Such a configuration can provide a wide fresh food chamber and/or a wide freezer chamber. However, a depth of the fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber can deep making accessing food items at a back of the refrigerator appliance difficult.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for assisting with accessing food items stored therein would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a refrigerator appliance. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet. The door defines a freezer chamber. The position of the fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber can facilitate access to food items stored within the freezer chamber and/or the fresh food chamber. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet. The cabinet extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet also extends between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet defines a fresh food chamber. The fresh food chamber extends along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet. The fresh food chamber also extends along the lateral direction between about the first and second side portions of the cabinet. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet such that the door permits selective access to the fresh food chamber of the cabinet. The door includes an outer casing that defines a freezer chamber and an inner panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the door such that the inner panel of the door permits selective access to the freezer chamber of the outer casing of the door.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet also extends between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet defines a fresh food chamber. The fresh food chamber extends along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet. The fresh food chamber also extends along the lateral direction between about the first and second side portions of the cabinet. A pair of doors is rotatably mounted to the cabinet such that the pair of doors permits selective access to the fresh food chamber of the cabinet. Each door of the pair of doors includes an outer casing that defines a freezer chamber and an inner panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing such that the inner panel permits selective access to the freezer chamber of the outer casing.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front elevation view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with doors of the exemplary refrigerator appliance shown in an open position.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a door of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of the door of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 3 with an inner panel of the door shown in an open position to reveal a freezer chamber of the exemplary refrigerator appliance.

FIG. 5 provides a section view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 provides another section view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a front elevation view of refrigerator appliance 100 with doors 120 of refrigerator appliance 100 shown in an open position. Refrigerator appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T (FIG. 5). The vertical direction V, lateral direction V and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. As discussed in greater detail below, refrigerator appliance 100 includes features for assisting with accessing food items stored therein.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet 110 and a pair of doors 120. Cabinet 110 extends between a top portion 111 and a bottom portion 112, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Cabinet 110 also extends between a first side portion 113 and a second side portion 114, e.g., along the lateral direction L.

Cabinet 110 defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, cabinet 110 defines a fresh food chamber 118 therein. Fresh food chamber 118 extends, e.g., along the vertical direction V, between about top and bottom portions 111 and 112 of cabinet 110. Fresh food chamber 118 also extends, e.g., along the lateral direction L, between about first and second side portions 113 and 114 of cabinet 110. Thus, fresh food chamber 118 extends along about a height of cabinet 110, e.g., along the vertical direction V, and a width of cabinet 110, e.g., along the lateral direction L.

Cabinet 110 of refrigerator appliance 100 can be constructed in any suitable manner. For example, cabinet 110 may include an outer case 132 and an inner liner 134. Outer case 132 and inner liner 134 are components of cabinet 110 and are assembled together to form cabinet 110. Outer case 132 is exposed such that outer case 132 can correspond to an outermost layer of cabinet 110. Outer case 132 may be formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and side walls of outer case 132. Inner liner 134 is positioned within outer case 132 and defines fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110. Inner liner 134 can be formed from any suitable material, such as molded plastic. Insulating material 135 (FIG. 5), such as rigid polyurethane foam, is disposed between outer case 132 and inner liner 134 in order to insulate fresh food chamber 118 and provide structural rigidity for cabinet 110.

Doors 120 are rotatably mounted to cabinet 110, e.g., such that doors 120 permit selective access to fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110. For example, doors 120 each include a handle 121. A user can pull on handles 121 to adjust doors 120 between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an open position (FIG. 2). In the closed position, doors 120 hinder access to fresh food chamber 118 within cabinet 110. Conversely, doors 120 permit access to fresh food chamber 118 within cabinet 110 when doors 120 are in the open position. As may be seen in FIG. 1, doors 120 extend, e.g., along the vertical direction V, between about top and bottom portions 111 and 112 of cabinet 110. Thus, a top portion 136 of doors 120 is positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110, and a bottom portion 138 of doors 120 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 112 of cabinet 110.

Doors 120 include a first door 122 and a second door 124 rotatably mounted to cabinet 110. First door 122 is rotatably mounted to cabinet 110 at first side portion 113 of cabinet 110. Conversely, second door 124 is rotatably mounted to cabinet 110 at second side portion 114 of cabinet 110.

Turning now to FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 118 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include drawers 162 and shelves 164 that are mounted within fresh food chamber 118. Drawers 162 and shelves 164 are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers 162 can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, and/or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing assembly 170 for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly 170 includes a dispenser 172 positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on one of doors 120. Dispenser 172 includes a discharging outlet 174 for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism 176, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 174 for operating dispenser 172. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser 172. For example, dispenser 172 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A user interface panel 178 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel 178 includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice.

Discharging outlet 174 and actuating mechanism 176 are an external part of dispenser 172 and are mounted in a dispenser recess 180. Dispenser recess 180 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to open doors 120. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 180 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of first door 122 of doors 120. FIG. 4 provides another perspective view of first door 122 of doors 120 with an inner panel 128 of first door 122 shown in an open position to reveal a freezer chamber 130 of an outer casing 126. As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 4, first door 122 defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, first door 122 defines a freezer chamber 130 therein. As may be seen in FIG. 3, first door 122 includes an outer door portion or casing 126 and an inner door portion or panel 128. Outer casing 126 of first door 122 defines freezer chamber 130. Inner panel 128 is, e.g., rotatably, mounted to outer casing 126 of first door 122 such that inner panel 128 of first door 122 permits selective access to freezer chamber 130 of outer casing 126. Second door 124 can be constructed in a similar manner as first door 122. In particular, second door 124 can define a second freezer chamber therein.

FIG. 5 provides a section view of refrigerator appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 5, cabinet 110 extends between a front portion 115 and a back portion 116, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Fresh food chamber 118 extends, e.g., along the transverse direction T, between about front and back portions 115 and 116 of cabinet 110 within cabinet 110. Doors 120 are rotatably mounted to cabinet 110 at front portion 115 of cabinet 110.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a sealed system 140. Sealed system 140 is configured for generating chilled or cooled air, e.g., within fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110 and freezer chamber 130 of doors 120. Sealed system 140 includes components for executing a vapor compression cycle for cooling air. The components include a compressor 142, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator 144 connected in series and charged with a refrigerant.

Within sealed system 140, gaseous refrigerant flows into compressor 142, which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by passing the gaseous refrigerant through the condenser. Within the condenser, heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to cool the refrigerant and cause the refrigerant to condense to a liquid state. Compressor 142 and the condenser may be positioned with a machinery compartment 141, e.g., at bottom portion 112 of cabinet 110.

The expansion device (e.g., a valve, capillary tube, or other restriction device) receives liquid refrigerant from the condenser. From the expansion device, the liquid refrigerant enters evaporator 144. Upon exiting the expansion device and entering evaporator 144, the liquid refrigerant drops in pressure and vaporizes. Due to the pressure drop and phase change of the refrigerant, evaporator 144 is cool relative to fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110 and freezer chamber 130 of doors 120. As such, cooled air is produced and refrigerates fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110 and freezer chamber 130 of doors 120. Thus, evaporator 144 is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over evaporator 144 to refrigerant flowing through evaporator 144.

Sealed system 140 is provided by way of example only. Thus, it is within the scope of the present subject matter for other configurations of the sealed system to be used as well. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, sealed system 140 can include additional components, e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, and/or condenser. As an example, sealed system 140 may include two evaporators.

Evaporator 144 is mounted to cabinet 110. Evaporator 144 may be positioned adjacent or within fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110. A fan 146 is positioned adjacent evaporator 144. Fan 146 is configured for directing chilled air from evaporator 144 to freezer chamber 130 of doors 120. In particular, turning back to FIG. 3, first door 122 defines a freezer chamber entrance 150, e.g., at top portion 136 of first door 122, and a freezer chamber exit 152, e.g., at bottom portion 138 of first door 122. Turning now to FIG. 5, cabinet 110 defines or includes a duct 154, e.g., within insulating material 135. Duct 154 extends between an inlet 156 and an outlet 158. Inlet 156 of duct 154 is positioned at or adjacent evaporator 144 of sealed system 140. Inlet 156 is configured for receipt of chilled air from evaporator 144. Outlet 158 of duct 154 is positioned at or adjacent freezer chamber entrance 150 of first door 122 (FIG. 3). Outlet 158 is configured for directing chilled air out of duct 154 into freezer chamber 130 via freezer chamber entrance 150.

Fan 146 is configured for urging chilled air at or from evaporator 144 into duct 154 at inlet 156 of duct 154 and for urging the chilled air to outlet 158 of duct 154 such that the chilled air enters freezer chamber 130 of doors 120 through freezer chamber entrance 150 of doors 120. In such a manner, freezer chamber 130 of doors 120 can be cooled with chilled air from evaporator 144 in cabinet 110. Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes an ice maker 190 disposed within freezer chamber 130 of doors 120. Ice maker 190 may also be cooled with chilled air from evaporator 144 in cabinet 110.

FIG. 6 provides another section view of refrigerator appliance 100. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a plurality of bins 160. Bins 160 are mounted to inner panel 128, e.g., on an outer surface 166 of inner panel 128. Bins 160 are positioned or disposed within fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110 when doors 120 are in the closed position. Fresh food items or beverages may be positioned or stored within bins 160. Thus, fresh food items or beverages can be stored within fresh food chamber 118 in bins 160 on doors 120.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also a plurality of bins or shelves 192. Shelves 192 are mounted to outer casing 126 of first door 122, e.g., on an inner surface 168 of outer casing 126 such that shelves 192 are disposed within freezer chamber 130 of doors 120. Frozen food items may be positioned or stored on shelves 192. Thus, frozen food items can be stored within freezer chamber 130 on shelves 192 within doors 120.

As discussed above, refrigerator appliance 100 includes both fresh food chamber 118 and at least one freezer chamber 130. In particular, fresh food chamber 118 is defined by cabinet 110, and freezer chamber 130 is defined by one of doors 120. Fresh food items and frozen food items can be stored within refrigerator appliance 100 in fresh food chamber 118 and freezer chamber 130, respectively. In particular, fresh food items can be stored in bins 160 or drawers 162 and on shelves 164 within fresh food chamber 118 and may be accessed by opening and closing doors 120. Similarly, frozen food items can be stored on bins or shelves 192 within freezer chamber 130 and may be accessed by opening and closing inner panel 128 of doors 120.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, freezer chamber 130 of doors 120 is disposed within fresh food chamber 118 of cabinet 110 when doors 120 are in the closed position. Thus, fresh food chamber 118 can be shallow to permit easy access to food items located adjacent back portion 116 of cabinet 110. Similarly, by having freezer chamber 130 on doors 120, a user can easily access food items because freezer chamber 130 is positioned adjacent front portion 115 of cabinet 110.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet also extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the cabinet defining a fresh food chamber, the fresh food chamber extending along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet, the fresh food chamber also extending along the lateral direction between about the first and second side portions of the cabinet; and a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet such that the door permits selective access to the fresh food chamber of the cabinet, the door comprising an outer casing that defines a freezer chamber; and an inner panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the door such that the inner panel of the door permits selective access to the freezer chamber of the outer casing of the door.
 2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet extends between a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction, the fresh food chamber extending along the transverse direction between about the front and back portions of the cabinet, the door rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front portion of the cabinet.
 3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a sealed system configured for generating chilled air within the fresh food chamber of the cabinet and the freezer chamber of the door, the sealed system comprising a compressor disposed within a machinery compartment defined by the cabinet at a bottom portion of the cabinet; an evaporator mounted to the cabinet adjacent the fresh food chamber of the cabinet; and a fan positioned adjacent the evaporator.
 4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 3, wherein the door defines a freezer chamber entrance, the cabinet defining a duct that extends between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the duct positioned at the evaporator of the sealed system, the outlet of the duct positioned at the freezer chamber entrance of the door, the fan configured for urging chilled air from the evaporator into the duct at the inlet of the duct and for urging the chilled air to the outlet of the duct such that the chilled air enters the freezer chamber of the door through the freezer chamber entrance of the door.
 5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bins mounted to the inner panel on an outer surface of the inner panel, the plurality of bins positioned within the fresh food chamber of the cabinet when the door is in a closed position.
 6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising an ice maker disposed within the freezer chamber of the door.
 7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of shelves mounted to the outer casing on an inner surface of the outer casing such that the shelves are disposed within the freezer chamber of the outer casing.
 8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the door extends along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet.
 9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the door is a first door and the freezer chamber is a first freezer chamber, the first door rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the first side portion of the cabinet, the refrigerator appliance further comprising a second door rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the second side portion of the cabinet, the first and second doors configured for permitting selective access to the fresh food chamber of the cabinet, the second door comprising an outer casing that defines a second freezer chamber and an inner panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the second door such that the inner panel of the second door permits selective access to the second freezer chamber of the outer casing of the second door.
 10. The refrigerator appliance of claim 9, wherein the first and second doors extend along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet.
 11. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet also extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the cabinet defining a fresh food chamber, the fresh food chamber extending along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet, the fresh food chamber also extending along the lateral direction between about the first and second side portions of the cabinet; and a pair of doors rotatably mounted to the cabinet such that the pair of doors permits selective access to the fresh food chamber of the cabinet, each door of the pair of doors comprising an outer casing that defines a freezer chamber; and an inner panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing such that the inner panel permits selective access to the freezer chamber of the outer casing.
 12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the cabinet extends between a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction, the fresh food chamber extending along the transverse direction between about the front and back portions of the cabinet, the pair of doors rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front portion of the cabinet.
 13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, further comprising a sealed system configured for generating chilled air within the fresh food chamber of the cabinet and the freezer chamber of each door of the pair of doors, the sealed system comprising a compressor disposed within a machinery compartment defined by the cabinet at a bottom portion of the cabinet; an evaporator mounted to the cabinet adjacent the fresh food chamber of the cabinet; and a fan positioned adjacent the evaporator.
 14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 13, wherein the each door of the pair of doors defines a freezer chamber entrance, the cabinet defining a pair of duct, each duct of the pair of ducts extending between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of each duct of the pair of ducts positioned at the evaporator of the sealed system, the outlet of each duct of the pair of ducts positioned at a respective freezer chamber entrance of the pair of doors, the fan configured for urging chilled air from the evaporator into each duct of the pair of ducts for urging into a respective freezer chamber of the pair of doors.
 15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of bins, bins of the plurality of bins mounted on an inner surface of each inner panel of the pair of doors, the plurality of bins positioned within the fresh food chamber of the cabinet when the door is in a closed position.
 16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, further comprising an ice maker disposed within a respective freezer chamber of the pair of doors.
 17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of shelves mounted on an inner surface of each outer casing of the pair of doors such that shelves of the plurality of shelves are disposed within each freezer chamber of the pair of doors.
 18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein each door of the pair of doors extends along the vertical direction between about the top and bottom portions of the cabinet. 